The 50 point draft policy document, ‘Animal Welfare For The Many, Not The Few,’ will go out for public consultation and proposes appointing an Animal Welfare Commissioner to ensure Government policy across Whitehall is informed by the latest scientific evidence on animal sentience.

The Commissioner would also ensure animal welfare standards are always considered in new legislation and are maintained in Britain’s involvement in international bodies and post-Brexit trade deals.

The policy document includes looking at introducing a ban on the live export of animals for slaughter, consulting landlords on giving tenants the right to keep a pet, strengthening the Hunting Act, enshrining the principal of animal sentience in law, ending the badger cull, implementing a review of animal testing and expanding affordable vet care for people on low incomes.

Proposals also include the mandatory labelling of domestic and imported meat, including country of origin, method of production and slaughter (stun or non-stun).

“Today we’re making proposals for real, long-term progress. Our vision is one where no animal is made to suffer unnecessary pain and we continue to drive up standards and practice in line with the most recent advances and understanding,” Ms Hayman explained.

“With new trade deals on the horizon and the UK no longer subject to EU-wide rules on animal welfare, we want to ensure there is a comprehensive legislative agenda in place so that the UK becomes a world leader on animal rights.”